Speaker: consensus elusive

(January 26, 2004) - (Little Rock-AP) -- House Speaker Herschel Cleveland says he doesn't think the special egisative session is likely to end before Friday. Cleveland said it could take longer if talks toward a consensus on tax increase break down.
Cleveland said if tax efforts do break down, legislator may need to recess briefly before returning and resuming efforts to pass a tax increase.
No consensus has emerged on whether to raise the necessary revenue though a one percent sales tax increase or through a combination of new levies, including imposing the sales tax on services not previously taxed.